Exhibits for new museum wing

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33777, 25 February 1975, Page 11

Exhibits for new museum wing

A major exhibition on American involvement in the Antarctic since 1775 had been offered to the Canterbury Museum for the opening of the new Antarctic Hall, said the museum’s director (Dr R. S. Duff) at last week’s meeting of the Museum Trust Board.

The exhibtion was being prepared by the National Science Foundation a; part of the United States bicentennial celebrations in 1976, Dr Duff said. A recent visitor to the museum. Mr G. Guthridge. director of polar information for the foundation, had suggested that the museum’s opening display might feature the American exhibition. Based on present progress in the construction of the new wing, the hope was that it would be completed before the end of 1976. Dr Duff said. If this proved so. it was likely that a “high-level United States delegation” might come with the American exhibition. Museum staff had set a tar. get of October, 1976, for the completion of Antartic displays ready for installation in the exhibition hall and library. On staffing of the Antarctic centre. Dr Duff recommended that the board appoint Mrs A. Davies as supervisory librarian and that a library assistant be sought. Mrs Davies had done first-class work during the 15 hours a week she had worked at the museum, Dr Duff said. The board agreed to his recommendation. On the post of curator of the Antarctic centre, the board varied on the essential qualifications required between “a scholarly type” and “a managerial man with imagination.” It was decided that the matter be discussed bv the board’s appointments and Antarctic wing committees, particularly as regards fixing a suitable salary. The board decided to ask the oresent honorary curator of Antarctic relics. Mr B. N. Norris, to remain. on the staff an honorary associate. In the meantime, the museum will advertise for a technical

assistant for the Antarctic centre. Dr Duff reported that the librarian of the Scott Polar Research Institute at Cambridge (Mr H. G. R. King! would arrive in Christchurch early in 1976 to spend fout months at the museum helping with the establishment of the centre.